City to seek prices for a new ambulance

MORENCI — Morenci city officials plan to seek prices for a new ambulance.

And a federal grant may pay part of the bill.

The Morenci City Council on Monday approved a recommendation to authorize Mayor Jeff Bell and city administrator Michael Sessions sign documents for a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and loan to go toward the purchase of a new ambulance. The approval allows the city to seek quotes for the rescue vehicle.

Sessions said in his recommendation to the council that the USDA will provide the city with a $25,000 grant and a $57,000, five-year loan. The city will contribute $90,000 toward the purchase of the new vehicle. That money will come from the city’s ambulance savings fund that has a balance of $97,220.43, Sessions said.

While the USDA has not provided the city with official permission to purchase the ambulance yet, Sessions said, the request for quotes is required to encourage competition in receiving bids for the purchase. Additional forms also must be drafted and signed to move forward with the process.

The council authorized a request for quotes and to seek such for an ambulance purchase.